Don't tar all volunteers with the same brush

I would offer the following: Do you have to be so negative as to denigrate all volunteers in our "so many wonderful op shops on the Sunshine Coast” because of one poor experience you had with one "volunteer” in one shop?

Volunteers are doing good deeds by giving up their time to help charitable organisations assist those less fortunate in our society.

Each volunteer wears a name tag, and if you are offended, name this person by requesting the manager to intervene on your behalf.

This approach could be helpful, and perhaps prevent other keen shoppers experiencing a similar episode.

Did you do that?

You suggest a "simple solution” to the problem - "set some money aside to pay staff and bring a smile to their faces”. Are you for real?

All this over one unsatisfactory incident, for the next time you may go hunting for the low prices unavailable in retail stores.

Most op shops have both paid staff (to manage the functioning of the shop) and volunteers who come in a day or more a week to tackle a whole host of tasks, including selling to customers.

Are you certain that "the volunteer” you interacted with was not one of the paid staff, or did you assume it was a volunteer?

I agree with your view that "it is a fabulous culture, op shopping, enjoyed by so many”.

But you extrapolate one incident with one person to exclaim "so many op shops are manned by volunteers who clearly don't want to be there”.

I ask "why then do they volunteer, by choice?”

Your biting writing carelessly slates the work of all volunteers, while, pretending to praise the system.

Yes, Ms Sundstrom, I am an op shop volunteer and proud of the work we - both management and volunteers - do week in, week out.

I enjoy a conversation and a laugh with our many customers, and, although the occasional customer is less than respectful and courteous towards staff we do not spring into print and blast all customers for the antics of a few.

Please, in your future Soapbox, you might be fair enough to name this one shop, and so provide those of us, not involved, with some dignity.